NZ Payroll Leader - Strategy, Ops & Team Lead (Flexible)

Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Social Workers; Auckland; Hybrid; NZD 135,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

KiwiSaver

Flexible working arrangements

Job summary

Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Social Workers is seeking a strategic Payroll Leader to oversee end-to-end NZ payroll for about 2,000 employees, reporting to the NZ Finance Manager. You will drive efficiency, implement new systems, and lead a high-performing team in a flexible, progressive corporate setting.

The role requires strong commercial acumen, Datapay or modern HCM system expertise, and a track record in coaching and change management.

Qualifications

• Strategic payroll leader with end-to-end NZ payroll expertise.
• Advanced Datapay or modern HCM systems proficiency.
• Strong commercial acumen beyond transactional payroll processing.
• Proven capability coaching, mentoring, and restructuring high-performing teams.

Responsibilities

• Drive end-to-end NZ payroll operations ensuring absolute compliance and accuracy.
• Lead, coach, and optimise a direct reporting team of three.
• Streamline payroll workflows, controls, and monthly payment cycles using Datapay.
• Evaluate, design, and implement continuous payroll process improvement across payroll systems.
• Partner with senior finance leaders to deliver strategic commercial insights.

Skills

Strategic payroll leadership

Datapay experience

Commercial acumen

Coaching & mentoring

Stakeholder communication

Tools

Datapay

HCM systems

Job description

Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Social Workers is seeking a strategic Payroll Leader to oversee end-to-end NZ payroll for about 2,000 employees, reporting to the NZ Finance Manager. You will drive efficiency, implement new systems, and lead a high-performing team in a flexible, progressive corporate setting.

The role requires strong commercial acumen, Datapay or modern HCM system expertise, and a track record in coaching and change management.